SERVICES
Custom CNC Machining Service
CNC machining delivers precision, material flexibility and speed — with no tooling investment. Whether you need functional prototypes, bridge production or mold components, our CNC shop machines parts to tight tolerances from metals and engineering plastics.
WHAT WE OFFER
What We Offer
CNC Prototypes
Functional prototypes machined directly from CAD — no tooling cost, fast iteration for design validation.
- ✓No tooling investment
- ✓Fast turnaround
- ✓Same material as production
- ✓Design iterations in days
Low-Volume CNC Production
Bridge production and small batches with consistent quality and full inspection documentation.
- ✓Repeatable tolerances
- ✓Inspection reports
- ✓Surface finish options
- ✓Short lead times
Mold & Die Components
High-precision mold inserts, cores and components machined for our own tool shop and external programs.
- ✓Hardened steel machining
- ✓Tight geometry control
- ✓EDM & wire-cut support
- ✓In-house quality verification
HOW IT WORKS
From Inquiry to Delivery
Upload CAD & Receive DFM
Upload STEP / IGES models securely. We review files and return a free DFM within one day — catching about 90% of design flaws before machining.
Detail Alignment & Quoting
We confirm materials, tolerances and surface finishes with you and offer a reasonable quote — typically within 4 hours, up to 24 hours for complex parts.
Production & Quality Control
Parts are machined on 3-axis, 4-axis and 5-axis centers, then run through strict QC with CMM inspection so parts match the design exactly.
Global Shipping & Delivery
Secure international shipping with customs clearance and all compliance documentation — from 1 piece to 100,000+ with no vendor switching.
CHALLENGES
Challenges This Service Solves
FAQ
Custom CNC Machining Service — FAQ
What file format should I send?
STEP (.stp) 3D CAD is preferred; if you send other 3D formats we also require a 2D technical drawing for accuracy.
How fast is the quote?
Initial quotes typically land within 4 hours; complex parts may take up to 24 hours.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No — you can order from 1 piece, which makes CNC ideal for prototyping and low-volume production.
Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes — the larger the quantity, the lower the unit price, with a significant step at around 200 pieces.
What is the maximum part size?
1200 × 800 × 600 mm on 3-axis and 4-axis; 800 × 600 × 500 mm on 5-axis. Larger sizes via vetted partners.
Can you machine micro features below 0.5 mm?
Yes — holes and fine features down to 0.1 mm with micro-cutting tools and adjusted strategies.
Does free DFM really reduce cost?
Yes — DFM optimization typically cuts overall machining cost by 10% to 30% by reducing scrap and simplifying operations.
Can I change the design after quoting?
Yes — modifications before production are free; changes may affect final pricing and lead time, and we re-quote accordingly.
RELATED SEARCHES
What Buyers Search
* Keywords from Semrush competitor data — one page per search intent.
Machining Capabilities
Process capability ranges for common CNC operations.
| Process | Typical Materials | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Aluminum, steel, stainless, brass, copper, plastics | Housings, brackets, prototypes, mold components |
| CNC Turning | Aluminum, steel, stainless, brass, POM, PEEK | Shafts, bushings, fittings, threaded parts |
| 5-Axis Machining | Aluminum, steel, stainless, titanium | Complex geometries, undercuts, impellers, mold cores |
| Precision Machining | All of the above | Tight-tolerance features, reference surfaces, fixtures |
3-Axis, 4-Axis or 5-Axis — Which Do You Need?
More axes mean fewer setups, better surface quality on complex geometry and tighter overall accuracy. Machine envelopes per First Mold. Source: First Mold CNC page, https://firstmold.com/cnc-machining-service/
| Capability | 3-Axis | 4-Axis | 5-Axis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion | X / Y / Z linear | 3-axis + rotary table | 3 linear + 2 rotary (simultaneous) |
| Best for | Flat faces, pockets, 2.5D parts | Rotational parts, indexed features | Undercuts, impellers, organic surfaces, mold cores |
| Max work envelope | 1200 × 800 × 600 mm | 1200 × 800 × 600 mm | 800 × 600 × 500 mm |
| Typical setups | 2–4 | 1–2 | 1 (complete part in one go) |
| Surface continuity | Good | Good | Best — no re-fixturing witness marks |
| Cost per part | Lowest | Medium | Highest, but fewer setups |
Materials We Machine
Production-grade stock in metals and engineering plastics, with alloy composition verified before cutting. Source: First Mold CNC page, https://firstmold.com/cnc-machining-service/
What Tolerances Can CNC Machining Hold?
Standard and high-precision options verified by CMM dimensional inspection, first-article inspection and industry-standard compliance. Source: First Mold CNC page, https://firstmold.com/cnc-machining-service/
| Part Category | Standard Tolerance | High-Precision Option |
|---|---|---|
| Metal prototypes | ±0.05 mm (±0.002 in) | ±0.01 mm (±0.0004 in) |
| Plastic prototypes | ±0.05 mm (±0.002 in) | ±0.01 mm (±0.0004 in) |
| Mold machining | ±0.01 mm (±0.0004 in) | ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) |
| Micro features | down to 0.5 mm | down to 0.1 mm (micro tools) |
| Surface roughness (Ra) | ≤ 3.2 μm standard | < 0.4 μm for cosmetic parts |
| Hardened steel machining | HRC 45–55 | > HRC 60 with EDM support |
Surface Finishes & Post-Processing
Bead blasting, silkscreening and laser engraving are done in-house; anodizing, electroplating and PVD run with vetted partners. Source: First Mold CNC page, https://firstmold.com/cnc-machining-service/
Bead blasting — uniform matte texture that hides tool marks, ready for painting or anodizing.
Anodizing — hard or decorative anodize in custom colors; Type II decorative, Type III hard coat for wear.
Powder coating & painting — durable color finishes for enclosures, brackets and frames.
Electroplating — chrome, nickel and zinc plating for wear, corrosion and appearance.
High-gloss polishing — mirror finishes down to Ra 0.4 μm for consumer-visible parts.
EMI / RFI shielding — conductive paint, metal linings or shielding gaskets for electronic enclosures.
Silkscreen & laser engraving — logos, serial numbers and UL marks with permanent contrast.
PVD coating — thin, hard, wear-resistant layers for tooling and premium parts.
Where CNC Machining Earns Its Keep
One-stop from prototype to 100k+ units, with 98% on-time delivery. Source: First Mold CNC page, https://firstmold.com/cnc-machining-service/
Functional Prototypes
Metal and plastic prototypes in production materials — real tolerances and mechanical properties for testing.
Aerospace Components
5-axis machined structural parts, brackets and housings in aluminum, titanium and Inconel.
Medical Instruments
Stainless and PEEK instruments, surgical tooling and device housings under ISO 13485.
Electronics & Heat Sinks
Enclosures, heat sinks and EMI-shielded housings machined from aluminum and copper.
Jigs, Fixtures & Tooling
Inspection fixtures, assembly jigs, gears and tool handles — precision tooling for your own line.
Mold & Die Components
Hardened-steel inserts and cores machined for our tool shop and external mold programs.